News Releases

Releases that pertain to the Molokai and Hawaiian communities.

Church Thrift Shop Founder Returns

Wednesday, November 25th, 2020

Church Thrift Shop Founder Returns

Grace Episcopal Church News Release

Father James (Jim) Loughren has retired and returned to Molokai. Always a go-getter personality, he has agreed to manage the store he founded, Saved by Grace Thrift Shop, located at Grace Episcopal Church, 2210 Farrington Ave, Ho’olehua. He will also be serving as Priest Associate, joining Father John Lunn in ministry at Grace.

With Father Jim’s leadership, the Thrift Shop will be open Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This is an opportunity for both donation of used furniture, appliances, clothing and household goods in good condition, and shopping in the store.

With new shop services, comes new volunteer needs.…

True Community Based Renewable Energy at Stake

Wednesday, November 25th, 2020

MREC News Release

As you may know by now, Hawaiian Electric, as required by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), is planning to seek proposals for their “Phase 2” Community Based Renewable Energy (CBRE) project on Molokai in early 2021. The timing of the CBRE request for proposal is an opportunity for Molokai to formalize its own grassroots cooperative and compete for a project that will reduce our reliance on diesel generated electricity, improve grid resiliency, and bring support and relief to our overburdened rate payers.

Molokai community members have joined together to create Molokai Renewable Energy Cooperative (MREC) and are preparing to submit the coopʻs first project, a 2.75 megawatt solar plus battery project, which could meet the electric needs of 1000 households.…

$2.5M in Assistance for Farmers and Ranchers

Wednesday, November 18th, 2020

County of Maui News Release

Mayor Michael Victorino is urging Maui County farmers and ranchers to apply for reimbursements of expenses for losses related to COVID-19 and for food sustainability.

“This program has $2.5 million in CARES Act funding to provide Maui County farmers and ranchers with an urgent lifeline to help them with reimbursement of their expenses,” Mayor Victorino said. “I would like to thank the Maui Chamber of Commerce for partnering with the County of Maui to help sustain our agricultural community through these difficult times.”

Farmers and ranchers can apply reimbursement on allowable expenses of up to $25,000 for those who meet program qualifications.…

Temporarily Closure of Molokai Property Assessment Office

Wednesday, November 18th, 2020

County of Maui News Release

The Molokai Real Property Assessment office is temporarily closed due to staffing shortage from Friday, Nov. 13, through Friday, Nov. 20. The office is located at the Mitchell Pauole Center in Kaunakakai.

The office will reopen on Monday, Nov. 23, during its normal business hours from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For property tax payments and circuit breaker questions, please call the Real Property Treasury Office at (808) 270-7697.

For all other property questions, please call the Real Property Assessment Office at (808) 270-7297, visit its website at mauipropertytax.com, or send an email at rpa@co.maui.hi.us.…

County Food Distribution Friday

Wednesday, November 18th, 2020

County of Maui News Release

A drive-through food distribution event will be held on Friday, Nov. 20 for Molokai residents in need, announced Mayor Victorino.

The event is scheduled for 9 a.m. at the Mitchell Pauole Community Center in Kaunakakai.

Volunteers will pass out 150 boxes of produce on a first-come, first-served basis. Recipients are required to wear face masks.

To maximize social distancing, food distribution will be done in a grab-and-go drive-through (no walk up). Motorists will have the option of getting boxes placed in their vehicle’s trunk or rear cargo area.

“I would like to thank everyone who helped set up this food distribution event, including Molokai Community Liaison Stacy Crivello,” Mayor Victorino said.…

Kalae Holiday Art Show and Sale

Wednesday, November 18th, 2020

Kalae Art News Release

This year, due to the corona virus pandemic, the Kala’e Holiday Art Show and Sale will have a new structure to keep the community safe and prevent spread on Molokai. Dan Bennett, of Bennett Pottery, and Paula Scott, of Molokai Girl Studio, will present their work for viewing and sale by hosting open studio days from Saturday, Nov. 22 through Saturday, Dec. 5, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Bennett creates stoneware and porcelain utilitarian ware for the home. It is durable, oven and dishwasher safe as well as suitable for the microwave. There will be a wide variety of ware available including mugs, tea pots and cups, baking dishes, salt jars, bowls, plates, jars, platters and vases.…

Mail-In Voting for Veterans Board

Wednesday, November 18th, 2020

MVCV News Release

Due to the COVID restrictions for Maui County, we are not allowed to physically hold gatherings to no more than 10 people for both indoor and outdoor activities. Because of this the Molokai Veterans Caring for Veterans (MVCV) is not able to hold our general membership meeting for veterans. We were hoping that these restrictions would be lifted by now, but since we are forced to deal with these unusual circumstances, we have decided to hold a mail-in election for new board members.

We are looking for veterans from any branch of service who want to volunteer as board members for Molokai Veterans Caring for Veterans.…

Every Kolea Counts

Wednesday, November 18th, 2020

Hawaii Audubon Society News Release

The Hawaii Audubon Society is conducting the first-ever statewide count of Kolea, or Pacific Golden-Plovers, inviting community members to help count. The last Oahu-only count was in 1968, estimating 15,173 Kolea. In 1992, researchers counted 1,902 Kolea on Oahu’s 28 (38 today) golf courses. Because no counts have been conducted since then, and never any statewide counts, no one knows if the Hawaii population is increasing, decreasing or stable.

Besides estimating Hawaii’s Kolea population, the Hawaii Audubon Society’s project aims to increase resident and visitor awareness and appreciation of these birds that nest in Alaska, and spend winters in Hawaii.…

The Art Show Goes On

Wednesday, November 11th, 2020

MAC News Release

The ninth annual Molokai Arts Center (MAC) Member Show will be exhibited online at the Molokai Arts Center website beginning Nov. 9. The online gallery will be up for two months. Some of the works are offered for sale (NFS=Not for Sale).

This year’s juror was Maya Lea Portner. Maya is an artist and educator in Honolulu, Hawaii. She earned a BFA (Sculpture) from Washington University School of Art in St. Louis and an MFA in Art (Fibers) at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Maya has exhibited nationally in New York City, San Francisco and St. Louis, MO.…

4 Molokai Artists in Hawaii Craftsmen Exhibit

Thursday, November 5th, 2020

4 Molokai Artists in Hawaii Craftsmen Exhibit

Hawaii Craftsmen News Release

Four of Molokai artists’ works, for a total of five pieces, were accepted into the Hawaii Craftsmen Annual Statewide Exhibition of traditional and contemporary crafts. This statewide competition has been held annually for 53 years. Entries totaled 456 artworks 156 Hawaii artists from six islands, and 115 artworks were selected, representing 75 Hawaii artists from six islands.

Congratulations goes to Arabella Ark for her “Lily Jar, lidded vase,” a ceramic, gold and copper leaf piece; Dan Bennett for “Cervine Ossurary #2 COHID20-Crown of Horns” which is a high fire stoneware with deer antler. Kanoe Dudoit was accepted for her white clay, white crackle glaze piece called, “On Her Journey;” and Kim Markham earned two entries: “Sushi” which is a stoneware handbuilt platter and “Opihi” which is a Raku pinched tea bowl.…